In case you missed our take yesterday on the newest Julie Hermann debacle, here’s a quick recap: During a guest lecture in the class “Media Ethics and Law,” Hermann made some unnecessary comments about The Star-Ledger, implying that she wouldn’t mind if they went under as a company. A student recording the lecture named Simon Galperin, also happened to be the managing editor of Muckgers.com, an online student publication at Rutgers.

Rutgers’ latest press disaster is brought to you by the one and only Julie Hermann, who has been singlehandedly responsible for some of the worst coverage for our University since she became the new athletic director two years ago. Hermann was a guest lecturer at a Media Ethics and Law class a few weeks ago, where she felt it was appropriate to take the time to openly bash the Star-Ledger.

The ideal of a true democracy is already so far removed from what it actually is in practice that it’s difficult for many to put aside their cynicism when we talk about politics. Corruption, manipulation and deceit are practically synonymous with anything political. While we encourage a more open-minded approach to the world of politics and the opportunities presents for those wanting to make a change, the recent Supreme Court ruling in “McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission” to remove limits on individual contributions to political campaigns doesn’t exactly help.

From April 6 to April 8, the Rutgers University Student Assembly will hold elections for the upcoming 2014-2015 academic year. Voting is open to all undergraduate students enrolled at Rutgers New Brunswick, and we highly encourage you all to educate yourselves on the candidates and their platforms and participate in the elections.

Flynn McGarry is quickly rising up the ranks in the culinary world and becoming one of the most renowned chefs in the country. He’s been featured on the Food Network, he’s met the Obamas, he cooks $160 12-course meals and he’s currently working on a book about his work. And just as a side note, he’s 15 years old.

It’s the year 2014, and sex should not be taboo anymore. Most people are all about pushing the envelope when it comes to discussing sexuality — but as progressive as this generation likes to think it is, the discussions surrounding rape and sexual abuse are still unbelievably backward. At best, a relatively small minority advocates for the victims and survivors of sexual abuse, and at worst, we still find ourselves surrounded by a rape culture that promotes victim blaming and slut shaming whenever a case comes into the media spotlight.

Whenever election season comes around, it brings with it the usual reminders (and arguments) about civic responsibility and the importance of recognizing our own political efficacy. From April 6 to April 8, the Rutgers University Student Assembly will be holding elections for the upcoming academic year — and yes, we are here to tell you that you need to do your part and vote.

EDUCATION EQUITY: President Barack Obama is making moves to simplify the FAFSA application process and reward colleges that enroll a significant number of low-income students in an effort to increase college affordability. Rutgers is the only university of the 60 in the Association of American Universities that commits 10 percent of its spots to lower-income students, and enrolls among the highest number of Pell Grant students in the nation.

Safety on and around campus is an issue that is not just unique to Rutgers — it’s a problem for universities across the country that are located in similar urban settings where it’s difficult to draw the line between on- and off-campus areas. These universities don’t necessarily have higher crime rates on campus than others — it’s the crime in the immediately surrounding areas that makes students feel unsafe.

Despite recent concerns about government surveillance and the fear that “someone is always watching,” it seems even Big Brother has lost track of an entire Boeing 777 jet plane and all of its 239 passengers. The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 has the entire world scrambling to find answers to questions being drawn on complete speculation. The whole situation is being analyzed from every possible angle despite a lack of actual information.

Many Rutgers students are painfully familiar with the notorious “RU Screw” in virtually every aspect and department of the University. From course registration disasters to unwarranted parking tickets, pretty much all of us are going to have at least a couple of horror stories to tell by the time we graduate.

BUSINESS BUDGETS: As a public university, Rutgers doesn’t get as much federal funding from the state budget as we should, but the University Strategic Plan includes some measures to collaborate with businesses that might help us out. The plan calls for a mutual relationship that will benefit not just the University, but also businesses such as suppliers for our biomedical and research facilities. We laurel these efforts to create new ideas to support the growth of Rutgers.

The Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics released the results of a new poll yesterday, and surprise, surprise — everyone’s favorite New Jersey Governor is still dropping in the approval ratings. Gov. Chris Christie’s reputation has spiraled downward over the last few months, and this statewide poll of New Jersey voters confirms that his public image is already ruined.

Many have argued that the concept of standardized testing in the college admissions process should be abolished altogether. As it currently stands, the SAT tests students on some concepts that are so far removed from a normal high school curriculum that there are entire preparatory courses offered on the side — for those who can afford them.

Despite the admirable goals and values that are supposed to be upheld by fraternities and sororities, greek life gets a terrible reputation. Sigma Alpha Epsilon, considered the “deadliest frat in America,” recently announced that it will ban the pledging process that is often criticized because of its degrading and oftentimes dangerous hazing rituals.

MAKING A MARK: Rutgers Student Life Leadership and Training hosted the second annual Mark Conference Saturday, an event geared toward empowering students to follow their passions. The conference featured speakers such as actress Laverne Cox, from “Orange is the New Black,” and motivational student speakers from right here at Rutgers.

Despite the protection against “cruel and unusual punishment” provided to us in the Constitution, the death penalty is still around in the United States. There have been calls for reform, and the abolition of the death penalty altogether, but little has really been done to fix a severely flawed system.

Higher education funding seems to be a third-rail political issue for Gov. Chris Christie, especially in light of his annual budget address last week. The budget address included plans for significant increases in spending for preschool through high school, but not much was said about the need for an increase in spending on higher education.

Immediately after 9/11, the New York Police Department launched an undercover investigation of dozens of mosques and Muslim organizations in New York City and surrounding states, including New Jersey. They spied on hundreds of mosques, Muslim-run businesses, and student organizations on college campuses around the area without any reasonable cause or even a shred of incriminating evidence.

Ukraine has become the center of international attention as tensions have risen over the last few weeks from ongoing protests over the country’s sovereignty and its possible integration into the European Union. After Ukraine’s former President Viktor Yanukovych fled the country, it seemed that all that was left to do was find a new government to begin the long process of recovery.